Happyme_small
Reputation: 1166
Moderator

Any creative suggestions for cranberry desserts?

I've done a cranberry cheesecake in the past that has been really, really delicious, but I'd love to do something new this year. Do you have any favorite recipes or tips on impressive (but not too difficult) cranberry desserts?

Thanks!

6 Answers

  • Pigsketchsmall_small
    Reputation: 14

    There's a great recipe for oatmeal-cranberry streusel bars in the November issue of Edible Seattle. (Okay, so I might be biased. I wrote it.)

    But there are lots of options - look for recipes for cranberry pies (or hand pies!), cranberry tarts, or even cranberry upside-down cakes.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Img_0355_small
    Reputation: 1308

    This is a recipe I devised a few years ago. It's similar to a pecan pie filling, but with cranberries and walnuts rather than pecans. The tart cranberries cut the sweetness of the filling really nicely, and it's not something that most people have had at Thanksgiving dinner. It's delicious.

    Cranberry-Walnut Tart

    Tart shell:
    1 egg yolk
    1 T heavy cream
    spoonful OJ concentrate (or orange extract)
    1 1/4 C AP flour
    2/3 C powdered sugar
    heavy pinch salt
    1 stick cold butter, quartered lengthwise then cut into cubes

    Filling:
    4 T butter
    2/3 C brown sugar, packed
    heavy pinch salt
    2 eggs
    1/2 cup corn syrup (or 1/4 cup agave syrup)
    spoonful OJ concentrate (or orange extract)
    2 cups walnuts, toasted then roughly chopped
    2 cups whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)

    To prepare tart shell:
    Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until combined. Scatter butter cubes over mixture and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal (about 12 pulses). In separate bowl, mix egg yolk, cream, and OJ concentrate. With food processor running, add egg mixture in slow stream until mixture comes together. If dough is quite sticky, add more flour 1 T at a time until workable. Turn dough onto plastic wrap and refrigerate 30-60 minutes.

    Pre-heat oven to 375.

    On a well floured surface, roll dough out to about 13" circle. Lay in 11" tart pan. Dock crust, then bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside to cool.

    Lower oven temp to 275.

    Filling:
    Melt butter in large glass bowl in microwave. Once butter is melted, stir in brown sugar, eggs, corn syrup, salt, and OJ concentrate. Stir in walnuts and cranberries, then dump into tart shell. Use your spatula or wooden spoon to distribute the mixture evenly and aim for an even distribution of cranberries and walnuts.

    Bake in 275 oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the center just barely jiggles and the edges are set. Remove from oven and let cool to room temp before cutting. If you're quite eager, you can stick it in the fridge. If it's too warm when you cut it the filling will leak.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Subcultureoftwo_small
    Reputation: 1892

    This is an incredibly lazy dish and is unworthy of your talents, but a friend made it for me once and I loved it...I had no idea how easy it was.

    Cranberry-Walnut Salad!

    Two cans whole cranberries, 1 can pineapple (crushed, unsweetened, drained), and coarsely chopped walnuts. Mix together 'till you get the ratio you like.

    Fast, pretty, and delicious. Not a bad recipe to have in a pinch.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Photo_268_small
    Reputation: 18

    Oooooh. I love cranberries too! I concur with Jess. A tart or upside-down cake. Alice Waters has FABULOUS recipes for both.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Finn3goof_small
    Reputation: 1811
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Words_small
    Reputation: 755

    Super easy and tasty, it's sort of like an ice cream, but without the churning. And you can make it days in advance.

    4 C. raw cranberries, rinsed and drained
    16 oz. marshmallows (small) (8 C.)
    2 (8 oz) cans crushed pineapple
    1/8 t. salt
    2/3 C. powdered sugar
    1 pint whipping cream

    Grind together cranberries and marshmallows in food processor. Add pineapple, salt, and sugar.
    Let set for 15 min. Whip whipping cream, adding 2-3 T. powdered sugar and 1 t. vanilla. Fold in whipped cream and put in freezer. To serve, leave at room temp. for 15 min.

    Share this answer with a friend: